Turmeric... Super Spice!

​If you’re interested in health and nutrition (and let’s face it, you wouldn’t be on my blog if you weren’t just a little bit), you have no doubt noticed a lot more mentions, recipes and articles about turmeric.  As the medicinal and healing properties of this wonder spice are re-discovered (I say RE-discovered because the amazing benefits of turmeric have been known by naturopaths for thousands of years) it is only fairly recently that science has started to also appreciate its enormous and wide-ranging health benefits. 

Belonging to the ginger family, the key to turmeric’s Super Powers (and its distinctive yellow hue), is its active compound Curcumin. The list of its medicinal and healing benefits is long but a few of these include anti-cancer properties, ability to fight infections, reduce inflammation (matching or even beating many over the counter and prescription anti-inflammatory drugs) and treat digestive problems. It’s also been proven to fight free radicals, boost moods and support the brain, cleanse the liver and protect the heart. And there are no doubt numerous other health benefits of this bright yellow spice that we are still yet to discover!  Is there anything Turmeric can’t do?

If supplementing, to increase its bio-availability (meaning it’s absorbed more readily by the body), make sure your supplement contains piperine (black pepper). If it doesn’t, simply take a whole black peppercorn at the same time.
There are lots of ways you can get turmeric into your diet. Here are some of my favourite ways to spice it up!

TURMERIC 'GOLDEN' MILK
This is probably my favourite. The mix of cinnamon and turmeric works so well with the almond or coconut flavour of the milk)

Ingredients
Two cups of almond or coconut milk (or any other non-dairy milk of choice)
Half tsp turmeric
Half tsp cinnamon
1 tsp coconut oil (optional)
¼ tsp Honey (to taste, though I find the honey makes it too sweet as the cinnamon gives it a lovely sweetness).

Method
Warm the milk on the stove for two minutes. Slowly add the spices and coconut oil whilst whisking, and whisk until well mixed. Then simply pour into a mug and enjoy! It makes a lovely pre bedtime drink!

SEASONED ROASTED VEGETABLES
Due to turmeric’s warm and spicy flavour, it goes very well with vegetables. Whether its sweet potatoes, carrots or cauliflower, simply add to some olive oil and toss the veggies in the oil before placing in a roasting pan.

TURMERIC SMOOTHIE
Not to everyone’s taste, but adding turmeric to a smoothie is a great way to get this golden spice into your daily diet. 

ADD TO CURRY
If you’re making a curry, turmeric is the one spice you want to make sure you include in your curry paste or powder. Make sure you add some black pepper to increase its absorbability.

NOTE: Whilst turmeric is safe in the most part, a word of caution. People taking certain medications should be careful when using turmeric either in food or as a supplement as it can interfere with meds such as anti-coagulants like aspirin and warfarin. It can also affect the action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. ​